Batman Physical Rulebook Revelations

Beasts of War did get some exclusive pictures of the new Batman rule book. This is what we can expect the physical copy to look like. Here are two relevant pictures with some commentary!

 The first exciting change is the Coup de Grace rule that just confused so many starting players. Previously, if you only had Stun Damage weapons, you were unable to make a model a Casualty from KO. That leaves a lot of extra points on the board, but more importantly, it makes models like Bane unable to live up to their fearsome reputation of killing those in their way.  We petitioned for Misty, the game creator, to consider making Stun-to-Blood damage a thing and that looks to be the case.

After all, Casualty just means they're unable to fight while KO means the model is just taking a nap at a very inopportune time!

The second change here, which wasn't really asked for but it is awesome to see delivered is more options for Gangs to kit out their crews. I guess after fooling around in the Bat Builder Misty realized Gangs needed a little more. That or he decided to add some really cool abilities, here's the list from the picture above so I squint so you don't have to:

Law Forces: 0-1 Medikit $300: (2 SC) - Once per game, remove up to 2 Damage Markers from a Character that is in Base contact with this character.
Joker: 0-1 Neurotoxic Drugs $250: Model gains Fast and Dodge.
Penguin: 0-2 Radio $100: Model may reroll failed "Let's Go!" rolls.
Bane: 0-1 Antidote $200: Model is immune to Poison effects.

So far, so good. I really like how each of these effects really portrays the character of the gang. Law Forces care about their own, so they get a medikit.  The Joker doesn't care at all, so he gives his guys drugs that will probably have them drop after the fight, but he cares only for the effect during combat.  The Penguin is a methodical gangster who already relies on muscle, he gets his men coordinated. The rulebook looks good and the changes I've seen include unasked-for awesome and changes that the BMG community have been clamoring for. Here's my own Wish List:

5. Confined Space Defensive Position Defined - The FAQ on Confined Space is less than 2cm on both sides. That would be great to see all sorts of information just spelled out fully on the rule book. The rules also have listed terrain as being Small Obstacle, Difficult Obstacle and Vertical Obstacle. Clarification if the Confined Space Defensive Position works with what degree: only vertical? Must one be vertical but another Difficult? If so, could that be a small obstacle?

4. More Strategies - With the introduction of more equipment for gangs, I'm going to be greedy and ask for more Strategies. Another option, which I see bandied about, is that the gang with less points gets an extra strategy point. That way, if your 9 points short you don't feel like you should remake your list to fit in a Loony or Blackgate.

3. Simplified Riddles - Riddles are easy to understand, once you understand them. After seeing Riddle explained numerous times, I understood what my confused face looks like. Hopefully something more elegant!

2. Manipulated Run - Currently, a rule that only exists in FAQ due to its wording, is that if a model Runs they cannot Manipulate. This also means that if you Manipulate, your model would be unable to Run. Similar to how RoF drops if a model tries to Move and Shoot or Shoot and Move. I personally think that the inability to Run and Manipulate is cumbersome. I hope that for the final portion of the rules it is removed.

1. Running Jump - I've been talking to Endalyon about how powerful Batclaw and Acrobat is for letting models get around the board. It is unprecedented mobility as far as I've seen compared to other war games. But this means that the average man has problems getting around as well. If there was a running jump maneuver, it would mean that normal guys have a chance of getting around.